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UAA Session III 17U Review July 6-9 2022

ome of the best and brightest talent ascended on the LakePoint Sports Complex for four days and took part in the Session III of the UAA event. Teams from all over the country and Canada. Let’s check out some of the best teams, and players that stood out.

17U featured several players ranked in the ESPN, Rivals, and 247, Stephon Castle (Atlanta Xpress), Kris Johnson (Team Breakdown), Silas Demary (Team Curry), Blue Cain (BMaze Elite), and Derik Queen (Team Thrill) just to name a few. The boys from H-Town made their intentions loud and clear on there way to winning the session III championship. After a two-point win vs a tough Breakaway Basketball team, on the first day the Houston Defenders got on track. They beat Team Thrill 72-58 in the finals to be crowned champs. Jamari McDowell’s play this weekend was stock riser worthy, his ability to score on athletic plays, making jumpers, and defend with at a high level. Receiving an offer from Kansas, and his play reminds you of 2022 lottery pick Ochai Agbaji (former Kansas Jayhawks). Chris Johnson had a great weekend, high major athleticism, scorer, can play with or without the ball in his hands, and creates plays on the defensive end. 6’3 Jaylen Benard lead the team in scoring with 14.7 ppg, athletic downhill guard who can punish the rim on finishes. He has the ability to beat you off the dribble or make shots. Team Thrill was led by the Big 3, Derik Queen, Elijah Rice, and Michael Williams. Queen was a double-double machine averaging 18.7 and 11, and displayed some of the best footwork, of any big man in the country. At 6’9 and his size, he does a good job of handling the ball, and finishing in the post. One of the most athletic guys in the Session III was Michael Williams, he averaged 14.7 ppg. Rice averaged 15.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg. West Coast Elite finished 3rd led by Andrew Fielder, BJ Davis, and Courtney Anderson. The 6’10 Fielder showed his ability to stretch the defense with his shooting and was physical inside. Davis, tough pg. who ran the team with some authority, and was a big shot maker and big shot taker. Anderson is a player, ultra-athletic wing, who can put the ball on the deck and go around you. All the while he can stroke it from outside. The Atlanta Xpress finished 4th led by gold medalist Stephon Castle, and Carl Cherenfant, the Xpress got good gameplay from Jamari Arnold, and IMG signee Braden Pierce. The Xpress added high flying wing Jordan Burks and got steady play from the rest of the team. Ashton Pennamon did a great job of causing turnover, all the while making shots and setting others up. Castle averaged 15.3 ppg, and Chernfant averaged 12.0 ppg.


5 Players To Keep An Eye On


Vasean Allette (Canada Elite) 6’4 Guard (2023)

  • 29.7 ppg 4.5 apg 5.7 Rbg

  • Athletic Finisher / High Motor

  • Downhill Scorer

  • Can play both guard positions

  • Can defend at high level

Parker Friedrichsen (KC Run GMC) 6’4 Guard (2023)

  • 21.5 ppg 3.5 apg 45.4 3pt%

  • Big time shooter, with some range

  • Catch and Shoot Specialist

  • Excels off picks and dribble handouts

  • Defends well on the perimeter

Riley Allenspach (Team Curry) 6’10 Center (2023)

  • 7.5 ppg 5.7 rpg 1.0 bpg

  • Great size for the post

  • Good post work, nice footwork

  • Can step out on the perimeter and shoot

  • Really good rebounder, and challenges shots at the rim

Alassane Amadou (Philly Pride) 6’9 Forward (2023)

  • 12.3 ppg 5.5 rpg 1.3 bpg

  • Very active on the defensive end (Shot blocker)

  • Can space the floor, with a face up game

  • Rebounds at high rate

  • High motor finisher

Stephon Castle (Atlanta Xpress) 6’6 Guard (2023)

  • 15.3 ppg 1.7 spg 6.7 rpg

  • Can play on or off the ball, has great size and good handles for a point guard

  • Uses his size to get to the basket on downhill drives

  • Shot 50% from the field, deadly midrange

  • Uses size on the perimeter to defend and get deflections


Other UAA Session III Standouts


  • Carl Cherenfant (6’4) Atlanta Xpress

  • Braden Pierce (7’0) Atlana Xpress

  • Blue Cain (6’4) B. Maze Elite

  • Efeosa Oliogu (6’6) Canada Elite

  • Asa Thomas (6’7) Illinios Wolves

  • Cameron Christie (6’6) Illinois Wolves

  • Carey Booth (6’11) KC Run GMC

  • Chase Low (6’5) Martin Brothers

  • Traijan Sain (6’4) Martin Brothers

  • Jacob Brack (6’9) Nebraska Supreme

  • Kris Parker (6’8) Team Breakdown

  • Jasai Miles (6’6) Team Breakdown

  • Silas Demary (6’4) Team Curry

  • Sultan Adewale (6’7) Team Rio

  • Elijah Rice (6’7) Team Thrill

  • Michael Williams (6’4) Team Thrill

  • Derik Queen (6’9) Team Thrill

  • Jamari McDowell (6’5) Houston Defenders

  • Chris Johnson Houston Defenders